What is Tasmania?

The story behind the answer

Tasmania is an Australian state—an island lying south of the mainland across Bass Strait—with Hobart as its capital. It’s one of Australia’s six states, governing its own affairs within the Australian federation.

Named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who sighted it in 1642, Tasmania was once called Van Diemen’s Land and served as a British penal colony. Today it’s renowned for rugged wilderness (much of it UNESCO-listed), unique wildlife like the Tasmanian devil, and cool-climate produce. A handy memory hook: TasMANia goes with AusTRALIA—state, not just a place name. And while “Taz” from Warner Bros is a cartoon character, he’s inspired by the real Tasmanian devil native to the island.